Behavioral Sciences and Ethics

Read the following cases carefully, analyze the given data then answer the questions: (3 marks each case)

• An old woman came to the hospital with symptoms of hand shaking, palpitation, and weight decrease. She was diagnosed as suffering from hyperthyroidism from the results of her blood test. Surgery, isotope treatment, and oral treatment could be an option for cures. Her doctor explained to her the details of benefits, risks, and expected issues from each treatment well, and took enough time to answer her questions. Eventually, the patient, however, said to the doctor, “I want you to do what you think the best. You are my doctor”. The doctor replied that she should feel free to take the decision.

1-There are 2 main ethical principles discussed in the above mentioned case? Discuss and verify.

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2-Name the other ethical principles that should be applied in practice.

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3-Define an ethical dilemma.

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2- Carol Smith has been a dental hygienist for 10 years and works full time in a general-practice setting. Her best friend`s husband, Bob McComb, has been a patient of record for the past seven years. Upon updating his medical history at a recent visit, Bob stated that he was HIV-positive. After the initial shock, Carol asked Bob how long he had been aware of his current health status. He told her that he had just been diagnosed HIV-positive within the past month. He also informed the hygienist that his wife was not aware of his condition. Carol wondered what she should do. Although Bob had informed her of his seroconversion, how could she not tell his wife? Carol recalled her most recent conversation with her best friend and remembered that she had shared that Bob had been acting withdrawn for the last few months. Perhaps, Carol thought, she should inform her best friend about her husband`s health status. However, she knew that her patient`s records were confidential. The relevant section from the American Dental Hygienists` Code of Ethics reads: “We respect the confidentiality of client information and relationships as a demonstration of the value of individual autonomy. We acknowledge our obligation to justify any violation of a confidence.”

1- Explain the ethical dilemma in the above case.

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2-List the conditions upon which confidentiality could be breached.

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3- Is the theory of utilitarian ethics applied in the above case? Explain

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3-A patient X, 34 years old and her husband 36 years old married for 8 years, trying for baby since 12 months. The patient had history of epilepsy for which she was taking antiepileptic drugs. Ultrasound showed less egg reserve and was counseled for IVF. They tried one unsuccessful IVF cycle with self-eggs. The dose of antiepileptic drugs was increased. Pregnancy may worsen epilepsy and vice versa. So, surrogacy was recommended to the couple. With the help of IVF and surrogacy, women get a chance to have their own genetic child. It is indeed a miracle of modern science!!

• Name the types of surrogacy that could be offered for the couple in the above mentioned case.

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• Is IVF offered for the couple legal? Verify your answer.

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• If it was concluded from semen analysis that the husband is sterile, determine the assisted reproductive technique that could be done in this case. Explain the opinion of Islam in the applicability of such technique giving reasons.

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4-Kate is a 17 years old patient, unmarried and 8 weeks pregnant. She is a rather remarkable girl in that she lives independently while still a senior in a high school. She tells you that she was an adoptee given back to foster care, and then abused in that system. She is now an emancipated minor who works 30 hours per week at a service industry job while also earning a 4.0 GPA in school. Kate has absolutely no family support, and the former boyfriend who is the father of her unborn child simply disappeared upon learning of the pregnancy. Your patient is scared, uninsured, and says she doesn’t want to be pregnant or a mom (“Perhaps someday, but not now!”). She requests abortion only, at this hospital where she has always received medical care.”

• Determine the type of abortion requested in the case above. Justify your answer.

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• List the different types of abortion.

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3-Clarify the role of physicians in cases of legal abortion.

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